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Obituaries 12-11-07

Christine “Gussie” Levarn

Bristol- Christine “Gussie” Levarn 89, of Bristol passed peacefully away Thursday, Dec 6, 2007, at the home of Mike and Deb Orvis.

    She was born with her twin brother Bill on June 15, 1918.  Her father and mother were the late Carlton and Annabelle (Hannon) Bostwick of Hinesburg.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Leonard “Rosie” Levarn; brothers, Bill, Carlton, Edric, half-brother Harlan and sisters Flora and Mae.

    Gussie joined the Army Nurse Corps after graduating from the Mary Fletcher School of Nursing in 1943.  She served extensively in the European Theater of War with the 59th Army Field Hospital, seeing service throughout the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia.  Her twin brother Bill was killed during the invasion of France.

    After returning from the war she worked briefly in California then returned to Bristol and married Leonard “Rosie” Levarn, August 10, 1948.  She then began a lifelong career dedicated to the care and selfless giving to all she came in contact with.  She was a fixture at Porter Hospital and the Helen Porter Nursing Home, where from time to time she had very frank discussions with doctors on how best to treat her patients.

    Gussie also did private duty nursing.  Two of her more notable patients were Mrs. Swift and Mrs. Gibb of Middlebury.  But first and foremost, Gussie was noted for her volunteering and never ending service to Bristol and the surrounding community.  If anyone needed nursing care, a shoulder to lean on or just someone to be there, Gussie was the one.  Never taking, only giving of her self.

    She was truly an Icon of the Bristol community.  From over 50 years of 4th of July participation including floats with her sister Juna, to her Apple Head Dolls and Teddy Bears.  No one who knew her will ever forget her astonishing stories of life and life experiences told so passionate and eloquently.  Gussie will certainly be missed.

    She was a member of the St Ambrose Catholic Church.  She was also a founding and lifetime member of American Legion Post 19, Bristol and a member of VFW Post 7823, Middlebury.

    Gussie is survived by her son Dana and his wife Terry of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Two grandsons Dana Jr. of Holiday, Florida and Jamie, of Destin, Florida; Sisters Juna Perlee of Bristol and Georgia Jimmo of Salinas, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec 11, in St Ambrose Catholic Church with burial to follow in Mt St Joseph Cemetery.  In Gussie’s memory donations may be sent to the Bristol Rescue Squad or the Addison County Humane Society Shelter.  Visiting hours will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home, 4 South Street, Bristol.       

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